The w/w ⁺ Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) of Drosophila melanogaster for Detecting Antigenotoxic Activity

Abstract

Genotoxicological studies are emerging as fundamental for knowing the hazards to our genome, to our health. Drosophila melanogaster is one of the preferable organisms for toxicological research considering its metabolic similarities (viz. on dietary input, xenobiotic metabolizing system, antioxidant enzymes and DNA repair systems) to mammals. Accordingly, somatic mutation and recombination tests (SMARTs) of D. melanogaster are fast and low-cost in vivo assays that have shown solid results evaluating genotoxicity. The w/w + SMART uses the white (w) gene as a recessive marker to monitor the presence of mutant ommatidia (eye units), indicating the occurrence of point mutations, deletions, mitotic recombination or/and nondisjunction. Additionally, several studies used SMARTs to assess antigenotoxicity, with some using the w/w + SMART. We reviewed the state of the art of the w/w + SMART used for antigenotoxicity analysis, focusing on published results, aiming to contribute to the conception of a reliable protocol in antigenotoxicity. As such, genotoxic agents with known action mechanisms, as streptonigrin (oxidative stress inducer), were used as a genotoxic insult for proving the antigenotoxic effects of natural substances (e.g. seaweeds), demonstrating the presence of antimutagens in their composition. These antigenotoxicity studies are crucial for promoting preventive measures against environmental genotoxics that affect humans daily.

Antigenotoxic and Life-Prolonging Effects of Flavoured Kombuchas on Drosophila melanogaster

“…In this study, the antigenotoxic potential of black tea kombucha and three-flavoured kombucha (hop, madimak, and hawthorn) against hydrogen peroxide and potassium dichromate was assessed, and their effects on the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster were evaluated. Drosophila is a promising model organism for studying antigenotoxicity and longevity (22,23). Drosophila melanogaster has a short life cycle, rapid reproductive rate, and around 77% of its genetic content encompasses ortholog disease-related human genes (24).…”

Publication trends of somatic mutation and recombination tests research: a bibliometric analysis (1984‒2020)

“…During the offspring period, a mutagenic event could occur and cause the formation of white phenotype spots (mutant ommatidia) in the wild-type eyes [ 16 ]. Although both tests are accurate, sensitive, and specific, the wing-spot test allows the visual scoring of wings over time, whereas in the eye-spot test, the analysis should be performed quickly since no preserving actions are available on the eyes [ 17 ]. In fact, the SMART assays have been applied in the analysis of the genotoxicity and the antimutagenicity of several chemicals and agents such as pesticides [ 18 - 20 ], nanomaterials [ 21 , 22 ], food products [ 23 , 24 ], hormones [ 25 ], plant extracts [ 26 ], and drugs [ 27 - 29 ].…”